why italian dishes r made w/so much garlic ?

Question

it seems 2 me that it pours out of ur pores i kno that it is good for u but i want 2 kno why?

Answer 1

Trust Marina, she's 100% right; although garlic healthy qualities are well known, in real Italian recipes (I mean, made as Italians living in Italy do) is not so ubiquitous and used in exorbitant amounts like in Italian/American cooking.

Answer 2

Garlic health benefits and medicinal properties have long been known (1). Garlic has long been considered a herbal "wonder drug", with a reputation in folklore for preventing everything from the common cold and flu to the Plague! It has been used extensively in herbal medicine (phytotherapy, sometimes spelt phitotherapy). Raw garlic is used by some to treat the symptoms of acne and there is some evidence that it can assist in managing high cholesterol levels. It can even be effective as a natural mosquito repellent.
In general, a stronger tasting clove of garlic has more sulphur content and hence more medicinal value. Some people have suggested that organically grown garlic tends towards a higher sulphur level and hence greater benefit to health. In my experience it certainly tastes better and I buy organic whenever possible.

Some people prefer to take garlic supplements. These pills and capsules have the advantage of avoiding garlic breath.

Modern science has shown that garlic is a powerful antibiotic, albeit broad-spectrum rather than targeted. The body does not appear to build up resistance to the garlic, so its positive health benefits continue over time.


Healthy Antioxidant
Studies (2) have shown that garlic - especially aged garlic - can have a powerful antioxidant effect. Antioxidants help to protect the body against damaging "free radicals".

If you have a favorite Italian recipe - there is no rule that have to put garlic in it......

Answer 3

Mainly because GARLIC is a good disinfectant for the human body and help's unblock the pores of the skin from inside,as you can apreciate our body sweats,and this action blocks the pores,so eat or cook with Garlic and it helps,also it is good for the suspension of the common cold.But beware it makes your breath smell and too much is not to good for as in everything you can over do it?

Answer 4

It wouldent be Italian without it. The whole mediterranean countries cook with a lot of garlic.They are the healthiest in Europe,not only due to the garlic,but also to the wine,olive oil and lifestyle.

Answer 5

Actually, much of the region does NOT use garlic like you're talking about - that's an American alteration - like our version of spaghetti and meatballs. In fact, you'll find that REAL Italian food is often delicate - cooked so you get the flavors of each individual ingredient (unlike something like Indian where you often are trying to get the flavors to marry).

Also - to the poster who mentioned lebanese cooking, NO. There is some garlic in lebanese cooking, most of it does NOT have garlic in it. The yogurt, the salad, yes - the meat and vegetables? no.

Answer 6

The reason is if poppa and the boys ate the garlic and kissed grandmother good nite she would holler at them for smelling so bad. So the cook put garlic in everything and everyone ate it and smelled the same :-)

Answer 7

Italians like myself, love to cook with fresh vegetables grown within their region. we use somuch garlic because its delicious and its grows throughout Italy..its a matter of pride, but mostly its sooooooo yummy! the trick is everyone has to eat it and then no one notices the smell...i for one love the smell of garlic.

Answer 8

ITS JUST GOOD!!! It is part of Italian food without it , its disgusting its sooo yummy!!! I'm part Italian so I know what I'm talking about....Garlic bread is yummy and then Spaghetti oh god I'm surprised I'm not fat ha ha Italian food is amazing!! Don't worry about the garlic wash your face more.

Answer 9

Because garlic is great! If you don't like it, leave it out. If everyone in the world liked the same thing it would be a pretty boring place now, wouldn't it?

It also helps one spell properly so maybe you should try it!!

Answer 10

garlic is a very powerful antioxidant, but I also think it is used to enhance the flavor of what would be very bland and tasteless pasta without it.
There is no better flavor than garlic in food!